Growth Facts

This Tree is not available for Sale at this time through Bower & Branch. Bower & Branch provides this information for reference only. Please check back with us or contact us for more detail.

Ryusen Weeping Japanese Maple will get your creative juices flowing when you imagine all the different ways you could use this exciting new ornamental tree in your landscape. Unlike nearly all other weeping Japanese Maples, whose limbs form a wide-spreading umbrella shape in time, Ryusen’s branches weep straight down from whatever point you allow them to reach. You could stake this tree to reach a height of five feet or more and have yourself a unique columnar specimen. Or, you could train it to arch over a path, spill over the edges of a container, or flow down a hillside. The possibilities are endless!

Growth Facts

The Story

Ryusen Japanese Maple was discovered as a one-in-a-million chance seedling at Kobayashi Nursery near Tokyo in 1990. It was originally named ‘Ryu sei,’ and is sometimes sold by that name, which means “dragon spirit” in Japanese. It wasn’t until 2008 that this stunner was introduced to American gardeners by ItSaul Plants of Atlanta, Georgia. Incidentally, by arriving in the U.S. via the steamy South, Ryusen was subjected to a brutal test of heat tolerance—which it passed without breaking a sweat! This beauty has proven itself tough enough to handle the worst heat and humidity some of our country’s regions can dish out.

The Details

Besides its extreme weeping habit, Ryusen is also different from almost all other weeping Japanese Maples in that it isn’t a laceleaf type. Its bold, star-shaped foliage is a new look in weepers, and we like it! We also love the fiery orange tones the leaves take on in fall that make the tree look like an eruption of molten lava.

How to Grow

This is one Japanese Maple that can flourish in full-on blazing sun, though part shade is also to its liking. In either case, you’ll want to provide regular irrigation (the Bower & Branch™ Water Element will regulate this for you) and good drainage. If you’d like to shape your Ryusen, you’ll need to stake the leader as it grows, making sure you don’t bind it too tight or leave the stake on so long that it rubs or cuts into the wood. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at grower@bowerandbranch.com for more help on this. Otherwise, Ryusen should be a low-maintenance and worry-free tree. Pests and diseases rarely amount to any serious concern.

More Info

Cold Tolerance/Hardiness Zone6

Heat Tolerance/Hardiness Zone8

ExposureSun/Part Shade

Avg Mature HeightAs Trained

Avg Mature WidthAs Trained

SpacingAs Desired

Growth RateSlow

Leaf ColorGreen

Fall Leaf ColorOrange

Flower ColorRed

Flower TimeSpring

Cary Award WinnerNo

PA Gold Medal AwardNo

Attractive BarkYes

Attracts BirdsNo

Attracts ButterfliesNo

Attracts HummingbirdsNo

Attracts PollinatorsNo

Deer ResistantYes

Drought TolerantNo

Dry, Poor SoilsNo

Edible FruitNo

FragrantNo

GroundcoverNo

Hedge/WindbreakNo

NativeNo

Salt Tolerance/SeashoreNo

Seasonal Cut BranchesNo

Shade ToleranceYes

Showy FlowersNo

SpecimenYes

Urban ConditionsNo

Utility Line TreesYes

Wet Moist SoilsNo

Winter InterestYes

Woodland GardenYes

Decor/Craft UseNo

Size Guide

Scale

Size B

This graphic shows the approximate size and form of the Tree you are viewing.

Size B Trees:

Full & heavily branched specimen tree that is a minimum of 4' tall when delivered. Grown in our #10 or #15 Tree container.